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BRITISH EMBASSY,
WASHINGTON, D.C.
October 14th, 1940.
Dear Colonel Knox,
You will remember that lust week I
told you that His Majesty's Government had received
from a committoe of the Legislature of Bermuda a
statement setting forth with great force the serious
damage which in their opinion would be done to the
life and prospectB of Bermuda if the scheme suggested
by Admiral Greenslade was carried out in its original
form.     I attach a memorandum based on material derived
from Bermuda which sets out in detail the objections
of the Bermudians to the present scheme and an alterna-
tive suggestion which they believe will meet the needs
of the United states equally as well if not better.
My Government has considered this memorandum and thinks
its fundamental case is well taken, and has directed
me to ask whether you would agree to Admiral Greenslade
going back to Bermuda after his return to './ashington
and investigating the alternative plan.    I understood
you to say at our brief meeting last week that you would
arrange for this.
As you will see from the attached paper
the head and front of the Bermudian objection ic to the
proposed position of the military aerodrome and, in a
minor degree, to the islands selected for the magazines
as they adjoin the very narrow entrance into Hamilton
Harbour.     The alternative scheioe provides for a
The Honourable military/
The secretary of The Navy,
Washington, D.C.
-2-
military aerodrome and possibly a seaplane base to
be concentrated at the Eastern end of the island
which would make it easier for the United atates to
keep control over its ovm activities there and would
avoid the disturbance to the island which is involved
in the present plan.       It is estimated that the
construction of an aerodrome on and around Long Bird
Island would neither take longer nor be iaore expensive
than that now proposed and would give longer run-ways
In both directions. The Governor assures me that
the people of Bermuda are most anxious to cooperate
in providing the facilities needed by the United
States and I am sure you will agree with me In thinking
that if the proposed naval and air bases can be carried
out with the good will of the people of Bermuda it will
make the practical working of Anglo-American cooperation
in Bermuda much easier in the future.
If Admiral oreenBlade wishes to have more
details of the new Bchetue, my Naval Attach^, Admiral
Pott, will do his best to supply him with them.
L:::s